Swine Flu – A highly contagious form of human influenza caused by a filterable virus identical or related to a virus formerly isolated from infected swine.

However, Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information says that the swine flu can be treated if caught very early with two of the anti-viral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom.

There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans, are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. None of these drugs prevent us from getting the virus, but can lesson the severity of the symptoms and shorten their duration.

Web User’s Perspective about the H1N1 “Swine Flu”:

It’s not really different from the “regular flu”. And yes, some people are majorly overreacting.
The media is often creating unnecessary panic in gullible people by focusing on a variety of diseases that turn out to be no big deal. Anyone remember West Nile Virus? SARS? Bird flu? If you hardly do it’s because not much ever came of any of those things. Take a clue, people.
Source: Yahoo User

To prevent H1N1 you must avoid going to endemic places for that disease, for instance Mexico. Cover your mouth and nose, more effective when you wear a face mask. Avoid breathing air when somebody is sneezing or coughing near you. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water, these will enhance your immune system. Think positive, emotional stress can lower your immune system.
Source: Blurtit

Avoiding the Swine Flu
Stay away from people who have the symptoms.
In Addition, you should wash your hands regularly and keep them away from your face, especially your mouth, eyes, and nose. You can also take vitamins, especially vitamin C and others that boost your immune system, and drink lots of orange juice for the vitamin C that it contains. Avoid stress as much as possible; it can lower your resistance to any disease.
You can wear a surgical face mask* over your nose and mouth when you are in public, unless it is a “respirator”, it will not stop you from inhaling the virus but it could keep you from giving it to someone else if you have to go in public when you have the virus. You should really stay home if you are sick and for seven days afterward or for 24 hours after symptoms are gone, whichever is longer. Only go out for medical appointments prior to that.
* Make sure that you do not visit anyone with swine flu, keep a distance of 6 ft from anyone who has the virus if possible.
* Use a tissue/handkerchief when sneezing and coughing.
* Dispose of the tissue immediately. Catch It, Kill It, Bin It!
* Whenever using a tissue, use a new one each time.
* Wash your hands regularly.**
They are currently working on a vaccination, but that will take some time.
Source: WikiAnswers

The swine flu is like any other flu the difference is that it has mutated so there are few that have immunity to it. It is serious, as any flu, to the very young and the very old and those with immuno-supression.
Source: Yedda

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